Hunting is as much a part of human existence as eating is. In fact, our ancestors had to hunt in order to survive. Humans have been hunters and gatherers since the dawn of time and it is an activity that is more recreational than a necessity these days.

In order to be a good hunter, you need to have the right equipment. A hunting rifle or bow and arrow is one thing, but no self-respecting hunter will ever set out on an expedition without a good hunting knife. Another trait for a respectable hunter is being mindful of hunting ethics. This means an animal will only be killed if is attacking the hunter or for food. This doesn’t mean filling your freezer for the next six months, but bagging one beast and sharing it with your fellow hunters.

This is where the hunting knife comes in. The animal that has just been shot needs to prepared and readied for transporting home. This involves removing the skin and internal organs to slow down the decaying process so your meat stays fresh enough before it can be properly stored in your deep freezer, or cooked. The best hunting knives will help you quickly butcher the beast so you and your fellow hunters can take your game meat home and prepare something special for your next dinner party.

The Best Hunting Knife

1

Buck Knives Famous Folding Hunter Knife with Genuine Leather Sheath

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The first thing you’ll notice when you first handle this Famous Folding Hunter Knife from Buck Knives is how great it feels in your hands. This hunting knife features a classic lock-back design with a 3-3/4″ 420HC stainless steel clip point blade. It is easy to open with a nail notch on the blade and genuine ebony handle inlays with stunning brass bolsters. This is the ideal hunting knife for the hunter on the move and will fit neatly in the pocket of your hunting vest, backpack or even the back pocket of your pants. It also comes with a genuine high-quality protective leather sheath to keep your blade in good condition during transport and storage.

Key Features:

Classic lock-back design

3-3/4″ 420HC stainless steel clip point blade

Easy to open with a nail notch on the blade

Genuine ebony handle inlays and brass bolsters

Includes genuine high-quality protective leather sheath

Specification:

BrandBuck Knives

Model0110BRS

Weight8 ounces

2

One of the best aspects of hunting with your buddies is camping out and this Mossy Oak Survival Knife is the ultimate multi-purpose hunting survival knife. This is a must-have knife for camping and comes with the added bonus of a firestarter and sharpeners. The knife is built for control and precision which is what you expect from the best hunting butcher knives. The blade is full tang yet with a lightweight construction that will never let you down. It’s also easy to grip thanks to the TPR rubber coated soft handle. This exceptional knife features a black anodized razor-sharp clip point blade and as a multi-purpose survival knife, it’s one you need to keep with your hunting gear every time you head out into the wilderness.

Key Features:

Multi-purpose hunting survival knife

Built for control and precision

Full tang yet lightweight construction

TPR rubber coated soft handle

Black anodized razor-sharp clip point blade

Firestarter and sharpeners included as bonus

Specification:

BrandMossy Oak

Weight1.6 pounds

3

SOG Folding Knife Pocket Knife – Salute Mini Tactical Knife

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You don’t need a big knife to prove you’re a skilled hunter and this SOG Folding Knife is small but mighty. This is a compact 3.1-inch stainless steel blade with a one-hand open and lock. Another feature of the blade is that is it made from Hardcased Black 8CR13MOV Steel and a machined G10 handle and full-length steel liners. This great hunting knife comes with an EDC knife pocket clip to protect the rugged, thick spined blade. Use it when you’re hunting but also around the campsite. Keep it by your side and you’ll be prepared for anything.

Key Features:

3.1 INCH Stainless Steel Blade

One hand open and lock blade

Hardcased Black 8CR13MOV Steel

Machined G10 Handle & Full Length Steel Liners

EDC Knife Pocket Clip

Rugged, thick-spined blade

Specification:

BrandSOG

ModelFF1101-CP

Weight3.68 ounces

4

Man only comes with two hands and when you’re out in the wild you often need to keep one hand free for many different tasks. This Outdoor Edge Razor-Lite Tactical Hunting knife features one hand deployment so your other hand is free to hold down your prey or catch. This amazing Razor-Lite EDC comes with 4 additional blades which means you can easily replace the one in your knife with the push of a button. It features a razor-sharp, heat-treated and hand-finished blade that is made from 44J2 stainless steel. It also has a lightweight and sturdy Grivory handle and rubberized TPR handle inserts. Overall, this is a great knife to take on your next fishing, hunting or camping trip.

Key Features:

One hand deployment

Blades easy to replace with the push of a button

Razor-Lite EDC comes with 4 blades

Razor-sharp, heat-treated, hand-finished 44J2 stainless steel blade

Lightweight and sturdy Grivory handle

Rubberized TPR handle inserts

Specification:

BrandOutdoor Edge

ModelOERLU140-Parent

Weight4.8 ounces

5

The only thing better than a MOSSY OAK Bowie Knife is this set of two Bowie Knives. One knife features a compact 4-inch blade, while the larger knife has a 6-inch blade. This hunting knife fixed blade set are both equipped with a steel bolster and pummel and ergonomically shaped leather handles for superior grip and easy handling. There are also finger grooves that have been designed to facilitate knife work whether it’s cleaning fish or skinning game. The full tang construction provides greater strength and reliability so you’ll have a trusty blade or two when you are camping out on your next hunting or fishing trip.

Key Features:

Classic, multipurpose bowie knives set

Ergonomically shaped leather handle

Finger grooves designed to facilitate knife work

Improved balance and grip

Equipped with steel bolster and pommel

Full tang construction provides greater strength

Specification:

BrandMossy Oak

Weight13.4 x 6.3 x 2.4 inches

6

MTech USA Xtreme Tactical fixed blade knife

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Extreme camping and hunting require an extreme tactical fixed blade knife and this one from MTech USA is about as extreme a knife as you’ll ever see. This fixed blade hunting knife features a 440 stainless steel black tanto blade that is durable and completely reliable. The G10 handle offers superior grip, even in wet conditions and with an overall length of 11 inches, it’s a good size for use in the outdoors. This great hunting knife also comes with a black nylon sheath for easy and safe carrying so keep yours strapped to your utility belt and stay safe when you’re out among the beasts.

Key Features:

Tactical fixed blade knife ideal for camping or hunting

440 stainless steel black tanto blade

G10 handle offers superior grip even in wet conditions

Includes black nylon sheath for easy and safe carry

11-inch overall length

5-1/2-inch blade length with 5.5mm thickness

Specification:

BrandMTECH USA XTREME

ModelMX-8054

Weight2.2 pounds

7

Elk Ridge – Outdoors 2-PC Fixed Blade Hunting Knife Set

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Hunting, fishing, and camping require performing many little tasks and not all of these can be done with the same knife. With this Elk Ridge – Outdoors 2-PC Fixed Blade Hunting Knife Set you can get more done. This set of two hunting knives include a 7-inch straight-edge knife for hunting and skinning and a 6.5-inch gut hook knife for cleaning fish. The blades are made of 440 stainless steel so you can be sure that they are rust-resistant and durable. The 7-inch knife feature a camo ABS handle with a lanyard hole and the smaller knife also has a camo ABS handle with a finger hole. Both fit in the black nylon dual carry sheath for easy and safe carrying.

Key Features:

Set of two hunting knives

Includes 7-inch straight edge & 6-1/2-inch gut hook knife

Blades made of 440 stainless steel

7-inch knife with camo ABS handle with lanyard hole

6-1/2-inch knife with camo ABS handle and finger hole

Black nylon dual carry sheath for easy and safe carry

Specification:

BrandElk Ridge

ModelER-300CA

Weight8 ounces

8

The Morakniv Craftline Robust Trade Knife is a great utility knife that is useful in a variety of situations both recreational and in a working environment. This is a fixed blade utility knife with a carbon steel blade for superior strength. It can also withstand years of sharpening so you will always have a trusty knife, sharp enough to tackle anything you need to use it for. For your comfort, it has an ergonomic handle with TPE rubber to give you an optimum grip and a finger guard gives a little extra safety. When you’re not using this knife, you can stash it into the hard-plastic combi sheath that comes with the knife. The manufacturer is so confident that you’ll be satisfied with your knife, it comes with a limited lifetime manufacturer’s warranty.

Key Features:

Fixed blade utility knife

Extra-think carbon steel blade

Ergonomic handle with TPE rubber for optimum grip

Finger guard provides additional safety

Hard plastic Combi-Sheath

Limited lifetime manufacturer’s warranty

Specification:

BrandMorakniv

ModelM-12249

Weight3.52 ounces

9

Uncle Henry 153UH Golden Spike Rat Tail Tang

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For the hunter that wants to make a statement, this Uncle Henry 153UH Golden Spike Rat Tail Tang hunting knife is definitely eye-catching. It has a very unique Staglon handle with a nickel silver finger guard and finger divets for a better grip. The blade is made of high carbon stainless steel that is durable and strong. The rat tail tang also ensures the knife will stand the test of time and it comes with a great leather sheath that gives you quick and easy access when you need to grab your knife in a hurry.

Key Features:

7Cr17MoV High Carbon Stainless Steel Blade

Stunning Staglon Handle

Quick and easy access leather sheath

Nickel silver finger guard

Rat tail tang ensures durability and longevity

Handle with finger divets for better grip

Specification:

BrandUncle Henry

Model153UH

Weight6.4 ounces

10

Gerber Bear Grylls Folding Sheath Knife, Serrated Edge

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Venturing out into the wilderness requires being prepared for any situation and that means you need to have all the necessary equipment with you. One of those things is a hunting knife and this Gerber Bear Grylls Folding Sheath Knife with a Serrated Edge is a necessary part of any survival kit. We’ve all seen Bear Grylls showing off his survival skills and when you have the right knife with you, you can survive the wild as well. This knife features a carbon stainless steel drop point blade with a lock back to keep the blade securely in place. It has a dual-sided thumb stud for easy single-hand opening and an ergonomic textured rubber grip for added stability. This great knife is compact and foldable so you can stash it in the lightweight, military-grade mildew-resistant sheath.

Key Features:

Carbon Stainless Steel Drop Point Blade

Lightweight, military-grade, mildew resistant sheath

Ergonomic Textured Rubber Grip

Lock Back – Locks blade securely in place

Dual-Sided Thumbstud – For easy single-hand opening

Compact, foldable and fits neatly into sheath

Specification:

BrandGerber

ModelG0752

Weight3.52 ounces

Conclusion

Next time you head for the hills, make sure you have a good quality hunting knife with you like one of the ones we’ve featured in this selection. The best hunting knives need to be strong, durable and sharp so that you can skin your game, clean your fish or simply use it to get your campsite ready. In a sticky situation, a good hunting knife can make all the difference so never leave civilization without one.

One of the most important things to do with your hunting knife is ensure you clean it well after each use and never use it as a make shift axe. The blades may be strong and long lasting, but use them for the wrong purposes and you may nick and damage the blades. Look after your hunting knife and it will look after you.